Instrument Rating – Airplane › V. Navigation Systems › Task A. Intercepting and Tracking Navigational Systems and DME Arcs

IR.V.A.S5

Skill

Maintain airspeed ±10 knots, altitude ±100 feet, and selected headings ±5°.

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Study note

Get a short, cited explanation of this element written from the FAA handbooks: the core idea, the numbers that matter, common test traps, and a quick self-check.

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Instrument Flying Handbook p. 7-5
Chapter 7, Section I: Airplane Basic Flight Maneuvers › Straight-and-Level Flight › Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI)
Figure 7-10. Pitch correction, less than 100 feet—one-half bar low to correct altitude error. When using the VSI as a rate instrument and combining it with the altimeter and attitude indicator to maintain level flight, a pilot ... should know that the amount the altimeter needle moves from the desired altitude governs the rate that should be used to return to that altitude. A rule of thumb is to make an attitude change that results in a vertical…
Instrument Procedures Handbook p. 6-7
Chapter 6: Airborne Navigation Databases › Path and Terminator Legs
distance that is from a specific database DME NAVAID. [Figure 6-15] Figure 6-14. Course to an altitude or CA leg. Figure 6-15. Course to a DME distance of CD leg. Figure 6-16. Course to an intercept ... database VOR NAVAID. [Figure 6-17] Figure 6-18. Arc to a fix or AF leg. Figure 6-19. Heading to an altitude termination or VA leg. • Arc to a fix or AF leg—defines a track over the ground…
Airplane Flying Handbook p. 4-2
Chapter 4: Energy Management: Mastering Altitude and Airspeed Control › Viewing the Airplane as an Energy System › A Frame of Reference for Managing Energy State
example, if the pilot decides to put all the surplus energy into altitude, the airplane can climb at a constant airspeed. [Figure 4-1A] If the pilot opts to place all the surplus energy into airspeed, the airplane ... accelerate while maintaining altitude. [Figure 4-1B] When drag exceeds thrust, (T – D < 0), the airplane's total mechanical energy decreases. The pilot has two sources of stored energy to tap into. For example, the pilot may choose…
Instrument Flying Handbook p. 7-8
Chapter 7, Section I: Airplane Basic Flight Maneuvers › Straight-and-Level Flight › Turn-and-Slip Indicator (Needle and Ball)
forces of gravity, drag, and inertia to determine airplane performance. Power control must be related to its effect on altitude and airspeed, since any change in power setting results in a change in the airspeed or the altitude ... airplane. At any given airspeed, the power setting determines whether the airplane is in level flight, in a climb, or in a descent. If the power is increased in straight-and-level flight and the airspeed held constant, the airplane…